Complaints about state of garden

Phantom Shadow

Phantom Shadow

Phantom Shadow

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5 Jun 2013
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So I am currently renting a student flat, and yesterday we had a viewing of the flat by a letting agency advertising the property on behalf of our landlord (which is a letting agency/company itself anyway), and then today we get an email stating that there have been "complaints from local residents regarding the upkeep of the front and rear garden". Seems very convenient timing if you ask me... considering we have lived here for 2 years, the garden is in the same state as last summer I think they would have complained before now. Clearly the guy showing people through the flat passed on a message about the garden.

Fair enough, both front and rear garden are quite overgrown with stinging nettles and could do with sorting out, and it has been pointed out that we are required to maintain the garden in the contract. However the contract does also state that we can't actually do anything about the overgrowth. This is an exact copy from our contract, spelling mistake of weeks/weeds and all.

(j) Keep or arrange to be kept the garden and/or yard area at the property (if any) in good order to include keeping the grass cut and the borders yards and paved areas free from weeks and not lop, cut or remove or otherwise injure any tree, shrub, or plant growing at the property or alter the general character of the garden and throughout the tenancy and maintain the garden in a responsible manner according to the season of the year.
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Now I'm not trying to weedle my way out of sorting out the garden, but it did make me wonder whether they can actually force us to do any gardening, considering it would be difficult to fix the problem (stinging nettles being plants, and not in a paved area) without cutting/injuring/removing them.

Also what would be the best way of dealing with them? I'm planning to email the landlord over the weekend to confirm what is expected, and then just head down to B&Q for some gloves and just rip the stinging nettles out if he confirms that's what he wants doing. Not bothered about stopping them from returning, we move out in a couple of months so as long as the garden is an acceptable standard when we leave it isn't my problem if they grow back.

Incase you missed it, I am planning to clean up the garden, I'm just interested as to how enforceable it is given the contract clause above.
 
Stinging nettles, such a beautiful plant to have in ones border. Their weeds by the way - you're supposed to keep the garden free of them.
 
It may be one of those situations where either you do it, or the landlord/agency gets someone to do it. Then the whole deposit situation rears it head etc.
 
Jokester said:
Stinging nettles, such a beautiful plant to have in ones border. Their weeds by the way - you're supposed to keep the garden free of them.
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A weed is just a plant no one wants around, which according to the contract I'm not actually allowed to cut or remove.

In case any of you missed, I asked for advice on the best way to deal with it as I intend to remove them.

Also as a student I do not own nor want to be buying a lawn mower/strimmer. Although a strimmer would be mighty useful to just chop it all down. Will have to resort to ripping them all out by hand I reckon, only a small garden so won't take long. Unless there are any better suggestions? And no I don't know anyone I could borrow one from, I would if I could.

AJK said:
Obviously you are, or you'd just have done the gardening instead of posting here.
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So I'm not allowed to ask a question about a contract clause, with no intent of doing anything with any responses? Oh yes, I forgot, this is GD. Unfortunately we don't have a legal forum.

It is 8pm, so I'm here asking a question now. Gardening will probably be done during the week when I have time.
 
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Phantom Shadow said:
A weed is just a plant no one wants around, which according to the contract I'm not actually allowed to cut or remove.

In case any of you missed, I asked for advice on the best way to deal with it as I intend to remove them.
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No you also asked if their was any comeback as regards your contract - which specifically states not to allow weeds to grow. As roadie mentions, you can probably kiss your deposit goodbye if the landlord gets professional gardeners in to clean up your mess.
 
Glyphosate weed killer works well for getting rid of just about everything, use it carefully and always read the instructions. Pull them out by hand then spray the fiddly ones.
 
bottle of vodka, several mates, a katana and a video camera

job done and it'll barely even seem like hard work...

adolf hamster takes no responsibility for any complaints, arrests or legal action should you pursue this advice which is given without warranty and is intended for no particular purpose
 
Jesus Christ !

Get a mower etc and just get it done, it's hardly landscaping 50 acres.

Honestly but the time you posted this and replied etc you could have had it half done
 
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